About The BLUE
The BLUE is an extraordinary dive site in Rangiroa, situated 300 meters (328 yards) away from the reef slope, venturing into the vast open ocean where depths can exceed 250 meters (820 feet) beneath. This dive is primarily focused on encountering large pelagic species in the deep blue, offering a unique 'blue water' experience. Divers descend to an average depth of 15 meters (50 feet) and stabilize, patiently waiting for marine life to approach. The main highlight of The BLUE is the high probability of meeting albimarginatus (silvertip sharks) and, with some luck, elegant silky sharks. The dive is designed for observation, allowing the sharks to approach the stationary group, often attracting photographers eager to capture these encounters. After approximately 15 minutes of observation, the group slowly makes its way back towards the reef, eventually joining the end of The Windmill dive profile for a safe and controlled ascent. This site offers a serene yet thrilling interaction with some of the ocean's most powerful predators in their natural, open-ocean environment.
Highlights
Deep blue water divingEncounters with silvertip sharksPotential silky shark sightingsPhotographer's paradiseSerene pelagic observation
Season calendar
Best months to dive here
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good
Off-Season
May – Oct (Dry Season)
Best visibility up to 40m. Humpback whales Jul–Nov. Shark wall at Fakarava peaks Jun–Jul (grouper spawning). Ideal conditions.
Feb – Apr & Nov (Transition)
Improving/declining conditions. Still good diving, occasional rain. Fewer tourists, good value.
Dec – Jan (Wet/Cyclone Season)
Peak wet season with reduced visibility, rough seas possible. Cyclone risk. Some operators still run trips to Rangiroa and Fakarava.
Dive site facts: The BLUE
- Depth
- 15–15 m
- Current
- Mild
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Intermediate
- Dive type
- , Reef
- Region / port
- French Polynesia
- Coordinates
- 15.0286° S, 147.7371° W
Conditions & Currents
Currents are usually mild, which makes this a relaxed dive suitable for most certified divers. The site drops to around 15 metres, so plan your gas and no-decompression limits around the deeper section. It is usually briefed as a dive for intermediate divers. It can be dived from a liveaboard or a day boat, depending on where you start the trip. Tide, wind and season all shift the picture from day to day, so the crew's briefing on the boat always overrides any general description.
Why dive The BLUE from a liveaboard?
The BLUE is one of French Polynesia's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.
Below are the liveaboards that include The BLUE on their French Polynesia itineraries.
Liveaboards diving The BLUE
These liveaboards may visit The BLUE on selected itineraries, the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
Aqua Tiki II
French Polynesia
8 guests
Aqua Tiki III
French Polynesia
10 guests20 m
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